Display device



J. H. BENYA DISPLAY DEVICE Aug. 8, 1933.

Filed Nov. 22, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Jim fl. Benya 5% '6 ATTORNE J,

/ g- 8, 1933. J. H. BENYA DISPLAY DEVICE Filed NOV. 22, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

(707271 fLBenya 0 a 2 1 W ATTORNE% 7 represent another type of switch in on and Patented Aug. 8 1933 NT OFFICE DISPLAY DEVICE John H. Benya, Lakewood, Ohio,

Application November 22,. 1930 SerialNo. 497,426

13 Claims. (01'. 20046) The present application relates to display devices and particularly to means for causing a succession of letters or other displays to appear on an electric sign. One of the features of the invention is aswitch particularly adapted for this type of service. illustrated in the accompanying drawings a, preferred embodiment of the invention together with certain preferred modifications of the switch mechanism, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but is susceptible of embodiment in various forms andby various means other than those'herein shown.

In the drawings:-Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of my entire device; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary representation of a sign board with certain letters displayed thereon; Fig. 3 illustrates a section of tape by which letters may be displayed on the board; Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a switch in on and off positions respectively; and Figs. 6 and oil position. I V 7 Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, a board,

here shown as provided with a large number of incandescent lamps, is illustrated at 10 and a control mechanism for the board, generally indicated by the reference character 11. Power is furnished from a suitable source indicated at 12. Each lamp is connected as at 13 with an individual switch such as 14.

The control device comprises an air pressure chamber 15 in the bottom plate 16 of which a number of pneumatically operable switches such as 14 are inserted, leaving an air passage clear through the board. The, top surface of the bot- I tom board 16 is traversed by a tape 17 through perforations such as 18 in which air is allowed to pass from the pressure chamber 15 into whatever switches may have their upper ends in registry with such perforations. Cross bars 19 in the lower part of the pressure chamber hold the tape firmly against the bottom plate and the tape is traversed by suitable mechanism such as 20 which will ordinarily be of the step-by-step type.

A preferred form of switch is indicated in Figs.

. 4 and 5 and comprises a J-tube in the bend of which a body of mercury 26'is held. The the J-tube isfastened, as mentioned, in the bottom board 16, it being assumed that the tube will'be made of a sufiiciently strong non-conducting material to need no other support. An electrical connection 27 is brought into the tube near the bottom of the bend so as to be continually immersed in the mercury.

The other connection necessary to complete the circuit is made by a metal cap 28 having a conductor 29 secured thereto so that when the mercury rises to the position shown in Fig. 5 the circuit will be completed. When one of the per- I have described below and I center of which a wire 43 forations 18 in tape 17 registers with the top of r the tube 25 the air pressure forces the mercury 26 into the position of Fig. 5. To preventcompression of air in the upper end of the; short leg of the tube the cap 29 is vented as at 30. Escape of mercury through this vent is prevented by a ball 31 floating on the top of the column in the short, leg. It will be observed that if the tape has been drawn away from the position in which the perforation registers with the top of the long leg, the top of this leg will be portion of the tape held down tightly by the cross bars 19. This situation would prevent drop of the mercury 26"to thebfi position of Fig. 4 except for the fact that a vent hole 32 is cut through the upper part of the longleg of the tube. This hole being of small diameter relative to the cross sectional area of the tube, the'supply of air from the chamber 15 when the per.- foration 18 is in registry is much greater than the escape of air throughthe opening 32. Thus the switch cannot break contact so long as a tape perforation is opposite the upper end of the tubeand wherein the cap 28 is replaced by a cap 38 of different construction. This cap 38is of general cylindrical form, surrounding the. lower end. of the J and closed at the bottom by an annular portion 39 in such manner that a quantityof mercury 40 is always present in the lower part of the cap. A wire 41 furnishes ,theelectrical connection to this small body, of mercury. The cap '38 is somewhat closed in toward the top and covered by a porous member 42 through the end of this wire carries a rality of fingers around the bottom, the dome being made of conducting material and the wire 43 being part of the circuit. When the air is admitted to the long leg of the tube 26 the mercury rises in the short leg from the position of Fig. 6 to that of Fig. 7, surrounding the fingers 45 and making the circuit.

dome 44 with a pluprojects. The lower 7 In the operation of thedevice it is contemplated that the tape 17 will be punched with letters or characters which it is .desired to display on the board 10 and will be moved by successive steps so as to maxea complete display which will be ,held on the board as long as desired, after which the mechanism 20 will advance the tape, ordinarily the entire length of the bottom board 16,

when it will stop, showing a new display. While the mechanism 20 is shifting the tape, the entire board may be cut out by switch 50 connected by any suitable means (not shown) with the mechanism 20, or the streaking elTect which will be caused by pulling the perforations various rapidly across all of the switches in a longitudif chine similar to a typewriter,

other means and mechanism Although I have above described a pr,eferred it is to be under-' embodiment of my invention, stood that I do not limit myself thereto but that be employed,

based upon the same principles, the scope of the ing free movement of invention being indicated by follow:

lclaimzfl f l. A switch comprising a J-tube, a fluid-body of conducting material in the bend of said tube adaptedto rise the shorter leg thereof, means the claims which closingthe upper end of said shorter leg to the passage of said conducting material whileallowspaced contact elereg constituting a gap in an men t's in said shorter connected by electric circuit adapted to material, andmeans for selectively applying pressure in the longer leg of above said material.

2.v Aswitchbomprising "a Jtube, a body or" conducting material in the bend or" said tube adapted to rise in; the shorter leg thereof, means closingthe upper endoi' said shorter leg-to the 'passageof said conducting material whileallowing free movement'o air, spaced contact elements insaid shorter constituting a, gap in an electric circuit adapted'to be connected by said material, means for selectively applying pressure in the longer leg'of said above said material, and means'in the upper'leg of said tube for permitting escape of air at a slower the supply.

3. in combination, a switch comprising a vertic'al J-tube of insulating material, anelectric contact inthe bend of said tube, a conducting cap on the top of the short legof said tube, a

rate than column of conducting liquid in the bend of the I? ducting liquid 4. Inconibinatiom'a tub efan'd means for forcing said liquid up said short leginto'contact with said cap: I

switch comprising an insulated vertical .l-tube, a cap'on the top of the short leg, two spaced corrtacts'in said cap, means on said cap' for allowing escape of air while preventingescape or" liquid, a body of con in said tube. adapted forbetween said contacts, and in the long leg of merit to fill the space means for applying pressure said tube above said liquid.

5. In combination, a switch comprising an insulated vertical J-tube, a cap on the top of the short leg, two spaced contacts ,in said cap, means on said cap for allowing escape or air while preventing escape or" liquid, a body or" conducting liquid in said tube adapted formovemerit to fill the space between said contacts, means for applying pressure in the long leg of'said tube. abovesaid liquid, and means for slowly releasing said pressure. I

6. In combination, a pressure chamber having a perforated bottom plate and means 'for selectively closing or opening the perforations therein, and a liquid switch connected'by an air passage to each such perforation,

short leg, having a cap closing the upper end of said switches including means. out; Y

, '7. In combination, a pressure chamber having a perforated bottom plate and means for selectively closing or opening the perforations therein, and a liquid switch connected by an air passage to each such perforation, each said switch comprising a J-tube having conducting liquid in its to prevent liquid from blowing bend and having its long leg constituting said air passage, one contact in the upper part of the short leg, and means on its short leg preventing escape of liquid.

8. Incombination, a pressure chamber having a perforated bottom plate and tively closing orv opening the perforations. therein, and a liquidswitch connected by an air passage to each such perforation, each saidswitch comprising a Jtube havingfconductin'ggliquid in its bend andhaving its longleg constituting said air passage, one contact in'thc upperpart of. the on the) upper endof its short leg, .said cap including an passage, and closing means for said. passage floating on the liquid in said short le 9. In combination, a pressure chamber-having a perforated bottom plate and means ior'selem tively closing or opening the perforations thereand a liquid switchconnected by an air passage to I each such perforation, eachsaid switch comprising a J-tubehaving, conducting liquid in its bend and having'its long leg constituting said air. passage, escape. port in said passage of much less capacity than the passage, onecontact in the upper partof the short leg, having a cap on the upper end of its short leg, said cap -inc1 ud-.

ing an air passage, and closing means for said passage floating on the liquid in said short'leg;

. lll. A switch. comprising aninsulated vertical.

contactsineans'for applyingipressur'e in the long leg of said tube above said liquid, and means for slowly releasing said pressure.

' 12. A switch comprising a J-tube, a fluid body of conducting material in the bend of saidtube adapted to rise in the shorter leg thereoianeans said shorter leg to the means for selecpassage'ot saidconducting materialv while allowing freegmovement offlair, and spaced contact elements in said shorter leg adapted to be'joonnested by said material.

, 13,. A switch" comprising a conducting material in the bend of said tube adapted to rise in the shorter leg thereof, means clcsin theupper end of said shorter legto the passage oflsaid' conducting material while allow ing free movementof air, in said shorter leg adapted to be connected by said material, means for forcing "said material down in the lon er leg and up in the shorterleg, and means permitting the two endsof the material to resume the same level slowly.

JOHN H, BENYA.

spaced contact elements l ke 

